Belle Vue Colts go third

Reigning National League champions Belle Vue boosted their play off hopes with a big 57-33 win over the Kent Kings in Manchester and moved themselves up to third spot in the table.

It was a shaky start for the Cool Running Colts at the National Speedway Stadium as the Kings set the bar with a 5-1 to open and established an early lead on which they hoped to build.

But it was short-lived for the visitors as the home team bit back with two heat advantages to swing fortunes in their favour, and they set to work ensuring they would not be bested again.

And with the track riding just the way they like it, it wasn’t long before the lead was so significant as to ensure their victory while the Kings were left to wonder what might’ve been.

Tom Perry produced a masterclass of the outside curve, top scoring with 13 points while skipper Jack Smith followed up with 12+1 and guest Ben Wilson joined the double figures with 12.

It was a proud night for Paul Bowen who finished his night on 7+2 and was delighted with his performance, exclaiming: “I’ve had banging meeting and I didn’t fall off, so that’s a huge plus!

“To be fair to Kent, they are a great team and a strong team. They’re not second in the table for no reason. They’ve worked hard for that and to be honest we didn’t expect to win by that margin.

“But the boys really pulled together. Things were tough after Heat 1 and we knew we had to pull our socks up. Full credit to the lads, they did what we needed to do and we got the 3 points.

“There’s an element of our fate that is out of our hands but there are still points on offer and while we have a chance to give ourselves the best opportunity to get into the play offs, we will.”

They then head to Swindon 24 hours later before the Cool Running Colts round off their home league fixtures ahead of the National League play offs with battle against the Isle of Wight.

Tickets for both home meetings are now available online at www.bellevueaces.co and at the stadium box office on race night.